Potassium loss is accompanied by chloride loss
Alkalosis increases cellular uptake of potassium
• Excessive doses of insulin increases cellular uptake of potassium
• Severe fluid loss through vomiting, diarrhea and laxative abuse also causes loss of potassium
Serum potassium levels less than 3.5mmol/l is generally indicative of hypokalemia. Less than. 2.5mmol is a severely deficient state.
The symptoms are nonspecific but predominantly related to muscular and cardiac muscle dysfunction
• Derangement of electrical excitability of muscles leading to weakness, paralysis of skeletal muscles, intestinal dilatation and ileus
• Antagonism of nerve impulse transmission results in abnormal cardiac conduction
Other symptoms . . .
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